The Best Boss Games for Linux

Update : Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder\'s Revenge - Ultima... added at rank #3.
1

Hollow Knight (2017)

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96
Review score
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Xbox One Linux Mac OS PC Windows

Explore the depths of a forgotten kingdom teeming with cute but creepy creatures and epic adventure in the classic side-scrolling action game, Hollow Knight. Tightly tuned controls allow you to dash, dodge and slash your way through ferocious beasts and ancient knights. With over 130 enemies, 30 epic bosses and a vast interconnected world to explore, every playthrough is unique. Top it off with hauntingly beautiful visuals and an evocative soundtrack, and you've found your new go-to game.


What we like:
  • Beautiful and breathtaking visuals and soundtrack
  • Non-linear gameplay with exploration and challenging platforming
  • Rich lore and vast world with secrets
  • Difficulty offers a satisfying challenge
  • Remarkable amount of content for the price
What could be improved:
  • Difficulty, not for everyone

  • metroidvania
  • boss
  • boss-fight
  • platform
  • exploration
  • hand-drawn
  • difficult
  • cute
  • bug
  • action-adventure
  • 2d
  • frame-by-frame
  • souls
  • fight
  • difficult-to-pull-off

2

Streets of Rage 4 (2020)

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90
Review score
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Android Linux Mac OS PC Windows Xbox One IOS iPhone

Streets of Rage 4 is the long awaited fourth entry into the classic Sega franchise. It features a blend of old and new, with classic characters such as Axel and Adam Hunter returning alongside a new main character, Cherry. All characters have unique playstyles, from Axel's powerful punches to Cherry's speedy strikes. There are tons of unlockables to discover and it has an amazing soundtrack.


What we like:
  • Satisfying combat
  • Incredible music and visuals
  • Tons to unlock
  • Simple yet rewarding combat mechanics
What could be improved:
  • Lack of 4 player online
  • Occasionally too easy to get cornered

  • brawler
  • boss
  • cooperative
  • beat-em-up
  • combo
  • retro
  • classic
  • side-scrolling
  • fight
  • old-school
  • arcade
  • online
  • hand-drawn
  • crime
  • combat

3

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge - Ultima... (2022)

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90
Review score
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Android Linux PC Windows Xbox One

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge reunites Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael as they kick shell in a beautifully realized beat ’em up.

Buy

  • arcade
  • cooperative
  • ninja
  • classic
  • pixel
  • beat-em-up
  • boss
  • side-scrolling
  • retro
  • brawler
  • combo
  • old-school
  • campaign
  • multiplayer
  • online

4

Axiom Verge 2 (2021)

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83
Review score
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Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch wii u vita PC Windows Mac OS Linux

Dive into Axiom Verge 2, an epic adventure that takes you into a mysterious parallel universe. As Indra, unravel the secrets of this world, battling monsters, hacking machines, and exploring ancient ruins. With intriguing gameplay, unique combat mechanics, and a refreshing protagonist, this game offers an immersive, fast-paced, and thrilling experience.

Buy

What we like:
  • Excellent game design with a lot to discover
  • Unique combat mechanics that encourage stealth and hacking
  • Refreshing protagonist that breaks stereotypes
  • Improved aesthetic with varied pixel art and haunting music
  • Gameplay is fast-paced and responsive with a diverse array of weapons
What could be improved:
  • Level tree imbalance and unclear progression at times
  • Combat feels optional and some weapons are underutilized
  • Occasional confusion in navigating the open world
  • Less emphasis on bosses and limited weapon options

  • boss
  • exploration
  • platform
  • metroid
  • retro
  • boss-fight
  • classic
  • sci-fi
  • alternate
  • pixel
  • combat
  • metroidvania
  • narrative
  • adventure
  • fight

5

HUNTDOWN (2020)

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91
Review score
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Android Linux Mac OS PC Windows Xbox One IOS iPhone

Join the action-packed world of HUNTDOWN, a hard-boiled arcade shooter set in a gritty, neon-soaked 80s cityscape ruled by criminal gangs. Take on the role of one of three legendary bounty hunters and lay waste to the underworld to collect your bounty. With unique boss fights and an arsenal of weapons to choose from, HUNTDOWN is a must-play for those who love fast-paced, co-op shooters.


What we like:
  • Pixel art, music, and gameplay are fantastic
  • Perfect gunplay and 80s vibe
  • Packed with addictive carnage
  • Well-designed levels
  • Memorable and funny boss fights.
What could be improved:
  • Bonus objectives are repetitive
  • Difficulty on some bosses can seem off
  • Characters can be hard to follow in intense fights
  • Comedy can go overboard and may disappoint those expecting a more serious tone.

  • cooperative
  • boss-fight
  • cover
  • shooter
  • retro
  • boss
  • cyberpunk
  • arcade
  • hockey
  • pixel
  • action
  • platform
  • dystopian
  • 2d
  • classic

6

Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion (2021)

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86
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Android Playstation 4 IOS iPhone Xbox Series X Xbox One PC Windows Mac OS Linux

Play as an adorable yet trouble-making turnip. Avoid paying taxes, solve plantastic puzzles, harvest crops and battle massive beasts all in a journey to tear down a corrupt vegetable government!


  • zelda
  • dungeon
  • boss-fight
  • boss
  • cute
  • puzzle
  • veggie
  • adventure
  • food
  • past
  • 2d
  • pixel
  • fight
  • action-adventure
  • action

7

Rogue Legacy 2 (2020)

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88
Review score
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Xbox One Xbox Series X PC Windows Nintendo Switch Mac OS Linux Playstation 5 Playstation 4

Rogue Legacy 2 is a must-play game for anyone who enjoys roguelike platformers, offering addictive gameplay, unique traits and abilities to succeed, and a wide range of classes to choose from. The game mechanics are solid, and it offers customization and accessibility options. The hand-drawn aesthetic, immersive experience, and great soundtrack create a great atmosphere, even for those intimidated by rogue-lites or metroidvanias.


What we like:
  • Addictive one-more-try gameplay
  • Hand-drawn aesthetic and great soundtrack
  • Customization and accessibility options
  • Immersive experience with seeping lore and mix of darkness and silly humor
  • Offers more content, evolution from predecessor, and consistent progression hooks for extra motivation
What could be improved:
  • Challenging gameplay may not be suitable for all players
  • Story may not be a strong point
  • Randomness may be frustrating at times
  • Relics can make or break a run, which may not appeal to all players

  • rogue-like
  • platform
  • boss
  • metroidvania
  • dungeon
  • challenging
  • difficult

8

Mokoko X (2022)

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86
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Xbox One Mac OS Linux PC Windows Playstation 5 j

Nostalgic arcade gameplay remastered! Conquer the bigger portion of the screen and save the unlucky girls from the various absurd troublemakers.


  • dating-sim
  • top-down
  • arcade
  • boss
  • bullet-hell
  • anime
  • pirates
  • villain
  • shoot-em-up
  • cute
  • funny
  • story
  • 2d
  • naval

9

Hyper Light Drifter (2016)

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92
Review score
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IOS iPhone Linux Mac OS PC Windows Xbox One

Hyper Light Drifter is an atmospheric action RPG set in a gorgeous pixel art world with a superb score. You are a Drifter fighting your way through enemies while piecing together the story of the world around you.


What we like:
  • Atmospheric soundtrack
  • Gorgeous visuals
  • Superb gameplay
  • Unique Zelda-like experience
What could be improved:
  • Difficulty spikes when there are too many enemies around you

  • pixel
  • boss
  • boss-fight
  • combat
  • post-apocalyptic
  • narrative
  • exploration
  • dungeon
  • rpg
  • difficult
  • action
  • platform
  • battle
  • challenging
  • retro

10

Final Vendetta (2022)

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74
Review score
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Playstation 5 Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Xbox Series X Xbox One PC Windows Mac OS Linux

Final Vendetta is an arcade-style throwback inspired by the 16 and 32-bit-era of gaming. It features large, gorgeously animated character sprites, true-to-the-era hand-drawn pixel art backgrounds and timeless old school flourishes. Perfectly combining elements from Final Fight and Streets of Rage 2 with generous dashes of NEO GEO style, Final Vendetta is a master class in kicking ass!


What we like:
  • Classic visuals and gameplay
  • Coop play for up to two players
  • Challenging bosses
What could be improved:
  • Limited lives on Easy or Hard mode
  • Some cheap enemy attacks and grabs

  • beat-em-up
  • arcade
  • boss
  • pixel
  • classic
  • brawler
  • old-school
  • soundtrack
  • fight
  • side-scrolling
  • retro
  • combo
  • cooperative
  • scroller
  • arts

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